Pancreatitis in Dogs: How to Avoid a Trip to the ER this Thanksgiving

In the veterinary world, the day after Thanksgiving is often known as “pancreatitis Friday”, rather than “Black Friday”. This is due to the large number of pancreatitis related appointments that come in following the food heavy holiday. Because dogs are often being fed table scraps or even helping themselves to Thanksgiving dinner, pancreatitis case numbers sky rocket during the holiday season each year. While not always fatal, pancreatitis can cause intense pain and discomfort to your furry friend. Today, I’m breaking down what pancreatitis really is and how to avoid a trip to the emergency vet this Thanksgiving.

What is Pancreatitis?

Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas that is caused by a variety of things, but most commonly follows a high fat meal. Dogs who get are frequently fed (or steal) table scraps are some of the most frequent pancreatitis patients. Other causes of pancreatitis include:

• Obesity
• Hypothyroidism
• Blunt Trauma
• Certain Medications
• In some cases, genetic predisposition. Some smaller and toy breeds have been found to be at higher risk for pancreatitis. 

Because Thanksgiving brings fatty foods such as gravy and butter plus a house full of family members who are likely to give into your dogs begging – the day after Thanksgiving is the busiest day for pancreatitis related emergency vet visits each year. 

Symptoms of Pancreatitis

Unfortunately, pancreatitis symptoms can easily be mistaken for symptoms of other illnesses. As dog parents, we know that the occasional diarrhea or vomiting is typically not cause for concern. However, if you suspect your furry friend may have gotten into some of the Thanksgiving leftovers, it’s important to keep watch for these symptoms and others such as: 

• Hunched back
• Repeated vomiting
• Pain in the abdomen
• Diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Dehydration
• Lethargy

If you notice any of these symptoms, or a combination of them, call your dogs vet ASAP. 

When left untreated, pancreatitis can spread to and infect the other organs. It becomes fatal when your dog has multiple failing organs or becomes severely dehydrated.

How is Pancreatitis Treated?

Should your dog get pancreatitis this holiday season, a trip to the vet will be in your future. Once at the vet, bloodwork will be done to check your dogs pancreatic enzyme levels. Then your pup will likely receive IV fluids and be given anti nausea medicine to stop the vomiting and rehydrate them. In severe cases, overnight hospitalization may be necessary.

Your vet will likely prescribe a bland diet and smaller meals for the following couple of days to allow their pancreas to rest and get back to its normal healthy state. 

How to Prevent Pancreatitis

Luckily, holiday food related pancreatitis is easily avoidable! Don’t allow anyone entering your home to give your dog table scraps. Be clear about your expectations when it comes to others feeding your dogs. If necessary, put your dog in a safe space such as their crate or an empty bedroom to avoid them getting food they shouldn’t have. 

Of course, if you want to include your pup in the holiday fun you can do so safely and carefully. If you want to give your dog a Thanksgiving dinner of their own, be sure to only include Thanksgiving foods that are safe for dogs to eat. Don’t give them gravy, butter, or anything else that is high in fat or seasonings. Only give them a small amount, your pup doesn’t need a full plate and will be more than happy with a small bite of turkey. 

This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own.